A pitcher for the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. (Photo courtesy of Francisco Cintron)

UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL GROWING IN PUERTO RICO
2007-03-31

Since early February, both men and women attending universities in Puerto Rico have been participating in the 2007 (fast pitch) university softball season. A total of 18 teams from universities all across Puerto Rico competed this season, including ten women’s teams and eight men’s teams. Many of the players are part of the Puerto Rico Softball Federation tournament.

A tournament took place last month with the winners advancing to compete in April in the Sport Festival, held this year in Ponce. This annual festival in Puerto Rico is home of not only the softball finals, but also other diverse sports such as basketball, judo, tennis, and swimming.

Founded in 1929, the former all-men’s softball league added women’s play in 1976. Though founded earlier, the men’s first tournament was not played until 1946. Unlike the men who have not played continuously in the tournament since their first season, university women have competed in the league every year since their addition 31 years ago, with the exception of the 1991-1992 season.

The four women’s softball teams who will advance to the finals in April are: the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, led by Edwin Ramos [former Assistant Coach of the Women’s National team of the Puerto Rico Softball Federation (PRSF)]; the University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, led by Charlie Leon, Assistant Coach of the Junior Women’s National Team of PRSF; the University of Turabo, led by Edwin Roman, active member of PRSF, and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, led by Francisco “Kiko” Cintron. Authorized by the Puerto Rico Softball Federation, Mr. Cintron attended the first International Coaching College in the summer of 2005 at the International Softball Federation’s (ISF) world headquarters complex in Plant City, Florida.

Santos Vazquez, PRSF Coordinator of Umpires and current ISF Assistant Regional Umpire Coordinator for Latin America, heads another league participant, the University of Rio Piedras.

The Puerto Rico Softball Federation will take steps in order to expand the sport of softball in the country in coordination with the universities. The hope is to work together toward organizing a National University team.